TMC NEWS

TMCNET eNEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Trailer fire on 28th Street displaces two people

Jan 01, 2013 (Odessa American - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Two people are without a home today after a fire destroyed their 21-foot long travel trailer where they had been residing for about three years in a neighborhood on 28th Street nearby West University Boulevard.

The fire was reported at 11:19 a.m. Tuesday after resident Scott Jones said his girlfriend saw the flames while sitting inside the one-story home at 2001 W. 28th St. just a few feet from the travel trailer. No one was inside the trailer and no one was injured, said Fire Battalion Chief Pat Land. The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time, awaiting word from the fire inspector.

The trailer is a total loss, said Land, and the Red Cross will assist the couple with housing. The home on the property where Jones' trailer was located suffered surface damage and firefighters cleared out smoke inside the home as well. At 2005 W. 28th St., which was about 10-15 feet from the travel trailer, that home also suffered minor damage to the exterior as the siding melted away.

On this brisk first day of the New Year, Odessa Fire/Rescue sent six units to the scene that also drew out curious neighbors, many still comfortable in their pajamas. Sixteen personnel responded to the fire as well. No firefighters were injured.

The man who lives at 2005 W. 28th St. said he heard something go "pop" and then saw the smoke. He quickly got his children out of their home.

Betty Jones, Scott Jones' mother, who lives across the street from 2001 W. 28 St. said her family owns that house and that Scott and his girlfriend have lived on the property in the trailer about three years. Scott's young daughter lives inside the home with her grandparents. The girl carried her small dog named Nellie outside of the home while firefighters continued their work. She said that her pet gerbil was safe inside.

"Everybody was in the house (at 2001) but about five minutes, when his girlfriend saw the flames outside," she said.

___ (c)2013 the Odessa American (Odessa, Texas) Visit the Odessa American
(Odessa, Texas) at www.oaoa.com Distributed by MCT Information Services